What action will the Minister take to ensure that both Natural Resources Wales and Welsh Water improve the water quality in the River Ogmore, so that people can again swim in the sea at Ogmore-by-Sea beach?
I was disappointed with the ‘poor’ classification given to the river Ogmore in 2023. I am continuing to work with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW) as they investigate the catchment to identify and deliver the necessary water quality improvements.
As Wales’ environmental regulator it is NRW’s responsibility to investigate water quality failures and ensure improvements are made. This is through an established rigorous testing regime and putting in place any targeted interventions.
In respect of the river Ogmore specifically, NRW’s preliminary investigations continue; as the wider catchment is so large, it is likely multiple factors have contributed to Ogmore-by-Sea beach receiving a poor result. DCWW is developing a water quality model, which will help pinpoint pollution sources and there are ongoing discussions between DCWW and NRW on delivering improvements through the national environment programme.
I am confident the work of NRW, DCWW and partners are doing to investigate the catchment and to identify and deliver the necessary improvements will ensure Ogmore-by-Sea beach meets our stringent bathing water quality standards as soon as possible.